Eyes of the Fleet US Navy E-2 Hawkeye The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye series has served the US Navy as an all-weather, tactical airborne early warning and control system (AEW&CS) for more than 55 years. As Tom Kaminski reports, recent upgrades will keep it in service for decades to come

eveloped in response to a 1956 control aircraft in March 1957. Grumman San Diego on October 19, 1965 headed for requirement for a carrier-based had previously developed the earlier WF-2 Southeast Asia. Production concluded with aircraft that could carry an Airborne Tracer from its TF-1 carrier-on-board the fi nal E-2A delivery in February 1967 and DTactical Data System (ATDS) to delivery aircraft. On October 21, 1960, totalled 59 aircraft. “provide early warning, threat analysis, and the model G-123 fl ew for the fi rst time in Powered by two 4,050shp Allison T56- control of counteraction against air and Bethpage, New York, as the W2F-1. The A-8/8A turboprop engines, the E-2A’s most surface targets”, the Hawkeye continues aerodynamic prototype was followed by a notable feature was a 24ft diameter AN/ to serve as an airborne surveillance and second fully equipped example that fl ew APA-143 rotodome that housed the antenna battle management command and control on April 19, 1961. Known a ectionately as arrays for the General Electric AN/APS-96 (BMC2) platform. Its ability to detect and the ‘Hummer’, due to the distinctive sound radar and the AN/APX-7 identifi cation friend track targets, process and transmit data, and of its twin turboprop engines, the Hawkeye or foe (IFF) system. Rotating at a speed of control engagements also allows the aircraft has been fi elded in four major variants that six rpm, it provided 360° coverage around to be tasked with secondary roles such as comprise the E-2A, E-2B, E-2C and E-2D. the aircraft. The E-2A also featured an air tra c management, search and rescue, It entered operational service with carrier automatic fl ight control system and was communications relay, and drug interdiction. airborne early warning VAW-11 equipped with a CP-588 airborne computer. The US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics under the designation E-2A on January 19, Its ATDS was designed to acquire, transmit selected the Grumman Aircraft Engineering 1964. Its fi rst combat deployment began and exchange information and targeting Corporation to design and build the when VAW-11 Detachment C embarked data with warships equipped with the Naval carrier-based airborne early warning and the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) which left Tactical Data System.

24 AVIATION NEWS OCTOBER 2020

24-31_hawkeyeDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 24 07/09/2020 14:56 and identifi cation of electronic emitters. The design also incorporated a larger vapour cycle radiator on the upper fuselage, aft of the cockpit, used for cooling the avionics. Production E-2C deliveries began on September 23, 1972 and the baseline version entered service with VAW-123 in November 1973, but VAW-113 was the fi rst to deploy aboard the USS Saratoga (CV 60) in September 1974. The E-2C was powered by 4,910shp T56-A-425 engines and carried the AN/APS-120 radar. Developed from the earlier AN/APS-111, it improved detection of aerial targets against sea and land returns. The E-2C retained the E-2B’s Litton L-304 computer but the AN/ASN-92 Carrier Aircraft Inertial Navigation System (CAINS) replaced the earlier AN/ASN-36 INS. Introduced with the 35th E-2C (BuNo 160415) in 1976, the digital AN/ APS-125 Advanced Radar Processing Above: The Hawkeye’s Combat Information Center provides three identical mission System was less vulnerable to jamming system operator positions for the Radar Operator (RO), Combat Information Center and could detect fi ghter-size targets and O cer (CICO) and the Air Control O cer (ACO) US Navy/MCS Kyle D Gahlau cruise at ranges up to 200nm and 125nm respectively. Additionally, it incorporated improved electronic counter- countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities. Beginning in 1987, several early E-2Cs were operated by the US Customs Service and the US Coast Guard, under loan from the US Navy. Each agency initially operated two E-2Cs to support counter narcotics operations, funded under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. The Customs aircraft were turned over to the Coast Guard in 1989 and continued in service until October 1991. First installed on aircraft A-79 (BuNo 161346), the AN/APS-138 radar and the Total Radar Aperture Control-A antenna improved the radar’s e ectiveness in detecting small targets, especially over land. Grumman produced 52 aircraft in this confi guration, which was later referred to as Group 0, including 35 to the US Navy and 17 to international customers. The Group I that followed featured Main photo: VAW-116 ‘Sun Kings’ E-2C, BuNo the AN/APS-139 radar. It increased cruise 165649, is one of 27 Hawkeye 2000 variants detection range to 160nm and delivered to the US Navy between 2002 and improved surface detection in high sea 2009. US Navy/Lt(jg)Toby Rollenhagen state/clutter and against countermeasures. Group I also introduced the 5,100shp Reliability issues with computer and were sold to international customers. Work T56-A-427 engines and the improved Litton other systems resulted in modifi cations that on the E-2C began in June 1968, when AN/ALR-73 PDS, which was fi rst installed updated 51 E-2As to the E-2B confi guration. Grumman was awarded an $11.9m contract on A-69 (BuNo 161229). First evaluated on First fl own on February 20, 1969 and to develop the AN/APS-111 radar . Based on aircraft A-34 (BuNo 160012) in April 1986, initially deployed with VAW-114 aboard the earlier AN/APS-96, the AN/APS-111 was the -427 delivered a 24% increase in power the Kitty Hawk in November 1970, the designed by General Electric and underwent and reduced fuel consumption by 12%. Just E-2B featured a new Litton L-304 digital testing aboard an E-2A from 1965 to 1967. 18 Group I E-2Cs were produced beginning computer and upgraded avionics. The Two early E-2As became the E-2C with aircraft A-122 (BuNo 163029), and the conversion programme was completed in prototypes and were assigned the variant entered operational service with December 1971. The ‘Bravo’ was phased designations YE-2C and NE-2C. Powered VAW-112 on August 8, 1989. Hawkeye A-123 out of operational fl eet service by 1985 but by 4,860shp Allison T56-A-422 engines, (BuNo 163535) was the fi rst production continued to serve the Naval Reserve until the fi rst prototype fl ew on January 20, 1971. model with the new engines and it served VAW-88 retired its E-2Bs at NAS Miramar, Physical di erences between the E-2C and as a dedicated test asset for its entire career. , in October 1986. the earlier E-2A/B included a longer, sleeker Group II Hawkeyes retained the nose and fairings on the outboard vertical T56-A-427 engines, but featured 11in E-2 CHARLIE fi ns and aft fuselage that housed antennas colour tactical displays, a more powerful Produced in fi ve sub-variants, the E-2C has for the Litton AN/ALR-59 Passive Detection computer and AN/APS-145 radar. The latter had the largest production run, comprising System (PDS). The system provided 360° system was fi rst tested aboard aircraft A-92 183 aircraft for the US Navy and 36 that passive precision direction fi nding, ranging, (BuNo 161784). In addition to increasing

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24-31_hawkeyeDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 25 07/09/2020 14:57 The prototype Hawkeye first flew on October 21, 1961, under the designation W2F-1. Assigned Bureau Number 148147, it was later modified to become the prototype C-2A carrier on-board delivery (COD) prototype Northrop Grumman

radar range by 40% and surveillance space deliveries began in October 2001. It retained open-architecture Raytheon model 940 volume by 96%, the new version could the AN/APS-145 radar but, featured a GPS computer and the ACIS installed COTS simultaneously monitor, track and display receiver, AN/ASN-139 CAINS II navigation tactical workstations, featuring 17in flat- more than 2,000 target tracks. The radar system and improved AN/APX-100 IFF. An panel active-matrix liquid-crystal displays could also locate and track naval targets, UHF SATCOM satellite communication (AMLCDs). Testing of the new computer including large ships, fast patrol craft and set and a Multimission Advanced Tactical began with the first flight from Northrop stationary platforms in most sea states. Terminal provided expanded over-the- Grumman’s production facility and flight The Joint Tactical Information horizon wide-band and narrow-band voice/ test centre at St Augustine, in Distribution System (JTIDS) was also data communications capability. Additionally, January 1997 and concluded that July. fielded on Group II aircraft. Flight-testing the earlier PDS was replaced by the A contract to incorporate the MCU/ACIS of this data link system began in February in four earlier Group II E-2Cs (A-143/146) 1990. Group IIs also gained a wideband/ was issued earlier in September 1996 and narrowband secure voice satellite HAWKEYE CREW the aircraft initially deployed with VAW-117 communication (SATCOM) capability and an The Hawkeye is flown by a crew of five, aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in upgraded IFF system. Deliveries to VAW-113 comprising two pilots and three Naval Flight July 2001. Officers (NFOs). From front to rear, three began in June 1992. The Hawkeye 2000’s most advanced identical mission system operator positions The conversion of 16 Group Is to Group are provided in the CIC for the Radar upgrade was the AN/USG-3 Cooperative II configuration began on December 21, Operator (RO), Combat Information Center Engagement Capability (CEC) that 1995 and the programme was completed Officer (CICO) and the Air Control Officer enabled high-capacity data exchange in mid-2001. A Mission Computer (ACO). The RO is the primary weapons between the aircraft and CEC-equipped Replacement programme provided most system operator and acts as a secondary air surface combatants. Along with a Group IIs with new processors. Completed controller. The CICO serves as the airborne Cooperative Engagement Processor and in 2005 it installed the Reconfigurable mission commander and is responsible for a Digital Distribution System the CEC’s Processor for Legacy Avionics Code mission planning and execution. The ACO Common Engagement Set installed a is the primary air controller, datalink and Execution (RePLACE) computer, which 54in electronically steered antenna on the SATCOM operator. reduced weight and greatly increased Hawkeye’s lower fuselage that enabled processing capabilities. The last Group II enhanced fleet-wide connectivity and variant was retired from operational service Lockheed Martin AN/ALQ-217A electronic situational awareness. in November 2019. support measures (ESM) system. The most The Hawkeye 2000 was also the first pronounced changes were the integration production model equipped with the HAWKEYE 2000 of the mission computer upgrade (MCU) and digitally controlled eight-bladed Hamilton The final E-2C variant is known as the Advanced Control Indicator Set (ACIS) and Sundstrand NP2000 propeller, replacing the Hawkeye 2000 (H2K) and aircraft A-130 uprated T56-A-427A engines. aircraft’s mechanically controlled, four- (BuNo 163849) first flew as the production The MCU integrated an improved blade Hamilton Sundstrand model 54460 system test aircraft on June 28, 1998 and commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) based, propellers. The NP2000 reduced noise and vibration, improved reliability and increased maintainability. The programme was launched in 2000 and the new propeller first flew on aircraft A-123 (BuNo 163535) on April 19, 2001. Testing of the new system concluded in late-2003 and retrofits for earlier aircraft got under way in 2004. The new version of Hawkeye joined the fleet in 2002 and was first deployed aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) by VAW- 117 in 2003. The US Navy accepted the last of 27 Hawkeye 2000s at St Augustine on September 21, 2009. The programme included two TE-2C trainers that were later E-2Bs served the active fleet from 1969 to 1986 when Naval Reserve squadron VAW-88 retired upgraded to the E-2C H2K configuration, its last ‘Bravo’. E-2B BuNo 152476 was one of 51 E-2As converted to the later configurationTom under a $10m contract awarded in Kaminski December 2010.

26 AVIATION NEWS OCTOBER 2020

24-31_hawkeyeDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 26 07/09/2020 14:57 E-2Cs currently equip three fl eet squadrons and Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) VAW-120, which also operates a single TE-2C trainer. Hawkeyes are also assigned to the Naval Air Warfare Development Center at NAS Fallon, Nevada, and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft ’s air test and evaluation squadron VX-20 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. Under current plans, the last E-2Cs will be retired by 2027. OPERATIONAL MISSIONS Like the USAF’s E-3 Sentry, little has been written about Hawkeye combat operations. Although no less important than strike and The Baseline E-2Cs featured the AN/APS-120 and then the AN/APS-125 radar and AN/ALR-59 fi ghter aircraft, both are ‘unsung heroes’ Passive Detection System (PDS). The E-2C entered service with VAW-123 in November 1973 and whose missions are overshadowed by more Grumman produced 69 over a ten-year period Northrop Grumman glamorous types. Early E-2A/B models fi rst supported Storm. A Hawkeye provided air control for Later, E-2Cs from CVW-8 aboard combat operations in Southeast Asia from the shoot-down of two Iraqi MiG-21s by the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) 1965-1972 but the Hawkeye came to the carrier-based F/A-18Cs from VFA-81 during served as airborne command, control and forefront in August 1981, when a VAW- the fi rst day of the confl ict on January 17, communication platforms directing strike 124 E-2C controlled the intercept and 1991. Following the , deployed packages containing F-14Ds and F/A-18Cs destruction of two Libyan Su-22s by VF-41 Hawkeyes continued to support Operations and EA-6Bs over Kosovo in 1999. The F-14A Tomcats from the USS Hawkeyes acted as an interface between Nimitz (CVN 68) over the north the Combined Air Operations Center in of . PRODUCTION SITES Vicenza, , and naval air assets. Since then, the E-2C has supported every Hawkeyes have been produced at three Hawkeyes have been engaged in support major combat operation that involved a US di erent sites, at Bethpage and Calverton, New of Operation Enduring Freedom/Freedom’s York state, and St Augustine, Florida. All E-2As Navy carrier strike group. In October 1985, a Sentinel in Afghanistan since 2001 and and 138 E-2Cs were produced at Grumman’s VAW-125 E-2C tracked an EgyptAir Boeing Bethpage facility. The closure of the runway at Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn in Iraq 737 carrying the Palestinian hijackers of the that site in 1990 caused production to move since 2003. Ten E-2C squadrons have fl own Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro and directed 50 miles east to the company’s production and overland sorties, providing critical airborne F-14As from VF-74 and VF-102 to intercept fl ight test facility at Naval Weapons Industrial battle and airspace management in support the aircraft, which was forced to land at NAS Reserve Plant, Calverton, where aircraft A-139 of attacks on enemy ground targets, Sigonella, Italy. to A-163 were produced. close-air-support coordination, combat During April 1986’s Operation El Dorado Production transitioned to the St Augustine search and rescue control, and airspace Canyon, Hawkeyes directed F-14As fl ying facility after the fi nal delivery from Calverton management. They have also acted as combat air patrol missions, while carrier- occurred in 1994. Aircraft A-164 was rolled datalink and communication relays for both based strike aircraft hit terrorist-related out in St Augustine on February 24, 1997 and land and naval forces. targets in Libya. Later, on January 4, 1989, a all subsequent E-2C and E-2D production has In August 2003, VAW-123 became VAW-126 E-2C controlled the intercept of a been carried out at that facility, which is co- the fi rst carrier-based Navy squadron to located with Northeast Florida Regional Airport. pair of Libyan MiG-23s that were then shot operate an expeditionary detachment down by VF-32 F-14As from the USS John in support of special warfare units F Kennedy (CV 67) over the Mediterranean Northern and Southern Watch over Iraq. operating in Northern Afghanistan. The Sea, north of Tobruk, Libya. From 1993-1995, carrier-based E-2Cs from squadron provided airborne command E-2Cs provided airborne command VAW-123, VAW-124, VAW-125 and VAW-126 control to coalition aircraft and time- and control for Coalition air operations supported NATO operations over Bosnia sensitive targeting coordination to special directing strike and combat air patrol and Herzegovina as part of Operation Deny operations forces involved in Operation missions over Iraq during Operation Desert Flight/Deliberate Force. Mountain Resolve.

A pair of Group 0 E-2Cs from VAW-124 were among 52 produced and included 35 for the US Navy and 17 that went to international customers. The Group 0 was equipped with an updated AN/APS-138 radar system that improved its ability to detect small targets US Navy/PH1 Ronald Beno

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24-31_hawkeyeDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 27 07/09/2020 14:57 US Navy F/A-18s and assets that included USAF F-15Es and F-22As. The missions marked the first time since the opening days of Operation Desert Storm that Hawkeyes executed the combat DCA mission. Many E-2 missions have involved homeland and regional defence and support. Hawkeyes were active on both the US East and West coasts as part of Operation Noble Eagle, immediately following the terror attacks in September 2001. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, three Hawkeye squadrons supported search-and-rescue and civilian relief efforts including air traffic control over three states. Following a January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Hawkeyes supported relief efforts that included air traffic control. They A Group I E-2C assigned to the ‘Bear Aces’ of VAW-124 lands on the USS Theodore Roosevelt in have also proven to be invaluable assets the . Entering service in August 1989, the Group I variant featured the AN/ when actively involved in drug interdiction APS-139 radar and updated AN/ALR-73 PDS US Navy/AFAA Chris Thamann efforts worldwide. A major change for the Hawkeye community occurred on More recently, E-2Cs and E-2Ds have potential threats, air intercept control, and January 1, 2020, when the title for the supported Inherent Resolve and the fight airspace management for coalition aircraft VAW squadrons was changed to Airborne against the Islamic State in and Iraq. conducting defensive counter air (DCA) Command and Control Squadron. In mid-2017, VAW-121 E-2Ds flying from combat air patrols over friendly troops. the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Persian During missions over Iraq the Advanced ADVANCED HAWKEYE Gulf, proved to be a critical element by Hawkeyes provided radar and radio In late-2001, Northrop Grumman received providing early warning detection of coverage of the battlespace, controlling a $49m pre-systems development and demonstration (SDD) contract associated with the E-2C Radar Modernization Program (RMP). A Milestone B approval to enter SDD followed in June 2003 and the contractor was awarded a $1.9bn contract to begin development of the Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) on August 4, 2003. The E-2D mission design series designation was formally assigned in July 2004, but wasn’t officially announced until March 2005. As part of the SDD effort, $413.5m was allocated to Lockheed Martin for development of the new UHF-band AN/ APY-9 advanced electronically scanned One of just 18 Group I E-2Cs produced and assigned to the ‘Bear Aces’ of VAW-124. The array radar. Featuring mechanical and Group I Hawkeyes featured the AN/APS-139 radar, but most were later updated to Group II configuration. The squadron currently operates the Hawkeye 2000 variant of the E-2C from electronic scan capabilities, the phased- Chambers Field at , . VAW-124 was originally known as the array system delivered a 250% increase ‘Bullseye Hummers’. Tom Kaminski in coverage over the AN/APS-145. Its US NAVY HAWKEYE OPERATORS Squadron Location Aircraft Command Tail code NAWDC ‘Strike’ NAS Fallon, Nevada E-2C CNAF/CNAFP - VAW-113 ‘Black Eagles’ NB Ventura County - Point Mugu, California E-2D CACCLW NE VAW-115 ‘Liberty Bells’ NB Ventura County - Point Mugu, California E-2C CACCLW NH VAW-116 ‘Sun Kings’ NB Ventura County - Point Mugu, California E-2C CACCLW NA VAW-117 ‘Wallbangers’ NB Ventura County - Point Mugu, California E-2D CACCLW NG VAW-120 (FRS) ‘Greyhawks’ Chambers Field, NS Norfolk, Virginia E-2C/D, TE-2C CACCLW AD VAW-121 ‘Bluetails’ Chambers Field, NS Norfolk, Virginia E-2D CACCLW AG VAW-123 ‘Screwtops’ Chambers Field, NS Norfolk, Virginia E-2C CACCLW AC VAW-124 ‘Bear Aces’ Chambers Field, NS Norfolk, Virginia E-2C CACCLW AJ VAW-125 ‘Tigertails’ MCAS Iwakuni, Japan E-2D CACCLW NF VAW-126 ‘Seahawks’ Chambers Field, NS Norfolk, Virginia E-2D CACCLW AB VX-1 ‘Pioneers’ NAS Patuxent River, Maryland E-2D COTEF JA VX-20 ‘Force’ NAS Patuxent River, Maryland E-2C/D NAWCAD - Key: CACCLW - Commander, Airborne Command and Control Logistics Wing CNAF/CNAFP - Commander, Naval Air Force/Commander Naval Air Force Pacific COTEF - Commander, Operational Test & Evaluation Force NAWCAD - Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division

28 AVIATION NEWS OCTOBER 2020

24-31_hawkeyeDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 28 07/09/2020 14:57 First flown in June 1998 the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 featured numerous upgrades that included the AN/USG-3 Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC). Northrop Grumman delivered the first of this variant in 2002 and eight-blade Hamilton Sundstrand NP2000 propellers were introduced in production in mid-2004 Northrop Grumman

maximum range extended out to around was approved on February 11, 2013 and the NEW RADAR 350nm and it improved capacity, flexibility, E-2D achieved Initial Operational Capability CAPABILITIES and accuracy over land and in littoral in October 2014. Delivering a two-generation leap in environments. Development of the RMP After an initial FRP contract for five capability over the APS-145, the E-2D’s AN/ and AHE systems was supported by NC- aircraft, the Navy awarded Northrop APY-9 radar features both mechanical and 130H serial 87-0157 and E-2C A-123 (BuNo Grumman a multi-year contract under which electronic scanning modes and its ADS-18 163535), operated by VX-20. it ordered 26 Advanced Hawkeyes over a antenna combines mechanical rotation Critical design reviews (CDR) were five-year period. E-2Ds are currently being with the ability to electronically scan the completed in 2005 and the first of two SDD procured under the second year of a 24 beam in azimuth. aircraft, AA-1 (BuNo 165501), was rolled out aircraft multi-year contract awarded in April Three operational modes comprise April 30, 2007. It flew for the first time at St 2019. The service’s programme of record Advanced Airborne Early Warning Augustine, on August 3, 2007. The second provides for 77 E-2Ds but the service’s actual Surveillance (AES), Enhanced Sector Scan E-2D carried out its first flight on November fleet objective is 86 aircraft. So far, more than (ESS) and Enhanced Tracking Sector (ETS). 29, 2007 and the first full mission system 40 have been delivered to the fleet. Four AES provides simultaneous 360° air and test followed in December. Whereas the additional aircraft were requested in Fiscal surface coverage with long-range detection first SDD aircraft was tasked with aircraft 2021. The Advanced Hawkeye completed its of low radar cross-section targets. The systems testing, the second supported maiden deployment with VAW-125 aboard antenna rotates 360° every 10 or 12 mission systems testing. Northrop the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in seconds The ESS mode merges mechanical Grumman and VX-20 flight crews flew November 2015 and six squadrons have scanning with steerable electronic scanning 3,411 hours during 1,115 flights in support already transitioned to the new variant. to provide all-around coverage plus of SDD. More than 12,000 test points were evaluated over a five-year period. A $408m contract for three pilot production E-2Ds was issued in July 2007. Carrier suitability testing began on January 31, 2011, when the E-2D carried out its first landings and take-offs aboard the USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75). An operational assessment was conducted by VX-1 between July and December 2010 at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, NAS Fallon, and Naval Base Ventura County - Point Mugu, California. The squadron later conducted initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) from February to October 2012. During IOT&E, the E-2D conducted 200 tracking events that involved drones and fighter-sized targets. Following IOT&E, VX-1 declared the E-2D was operationally “suitable and effective” and on June 11, 2009, the programme received a Milestone C approval to enter low rate initial production (LRIP). Five E-2Ds were purchased under the initial Lot 1 and 2 LRIP contracts and Lots 3 and 4 each added five more. Delivery of a pilot production E-2D First flown on August 3, 2007, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye features the AN/APY-9 advanced to VAW-120 occurred on July 29, 2010. electronically scanned array radar, enhanced AN/ALQ-217A electronic support measures (ESM) Full-rate production (FRP) of 55 aircraft system and upgraded AN/USG-3B Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) Northrop Grumman

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24-31_hawkeyeDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 29 07/09/2020 14:57 An E-2D operated by air test and evaluation squadron VX-1 conducts refuelling with a KC-707 operated by Omega Aerial Refueling Services near NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. The first E-2D equipped for this was delivered to VAW-120 in September 2019US Navy

enhanced detection and tracking in an AMLCD displays. The CEC, first installed initially installed in the 35th production operator-selected sector. ETS provides in the Hawkeye 2000, is upgraded to the E-2D. Retrofits to the earlier aircraft began enhanced detection and tracking in a AN/USG-3B configuration. in mid-2018. selected sector by stopping the antenna The aircraft’s Rolls-Royce (Allison) Incremental updates to the E-2D and scanning electronically. This mode 5,250shp T56-A-427A engines are are made as part of the Delta System provides a rapid search/track revisit rate and equipped with uprated electrical Software Configuration (DSSC). The is especially useful against low-observable, generators and a digital Propulsion System capability to refuel the Hawkeye in flight small or distant targets. Control Monitoring and Maintenance was demonstrated with a VX-20 E-2C in The Advanced 2004-2005 and again Hawkeye also features “Known affectionately as the ‘Hummer’, in 2009. Although the enhanced AN/ never implemented in ALQ-217A ESM and due to the distinctive sound of its twin the E-2C, an in-flight advanced AN/APX-122A refuelling (IFR) system IFF systems, upgraded turboprop engines, the Hawkeye has is being integrated with HF/VHF/UHF voice the E-2D as part of and satellite (SATCOM) been fielded in four major variants…” DSSC-3AR. A modified communications and E-2D first received datalink, and a digital intercommunication System that interfaces with the airframe, fuel via the probe-and-drogue method system. A fully integrated digital ‘glass’ engines and propellers. Additionally, from a KC-130T during testing in July 2017. tactical cockpit featuring three 17in cooling capacity is increased and the Subsequent tests with the KC-135R, F/A- primary flight displays and two backup fuselage and centre wing structure were 18E and KC-10A followed in October and flight displays replaces the earlier analogue designed to reduce weight and provide December 2017, and January 2018. cockpit instruments. increased strength. The E-2D has also been fully qualified Flight and tactical data are presented to receive fuel from a Omega Aerial by the integrated navigation cockpit NEW CAPABILITIES Refueling Services KC-707. Extensive display system, which also permits Recent upgrades have equipped the E-2D modifications to the cockpit, flight the co-pilot to function as a Tactical with the Automatic Identification System software, crew seats, tail rudder, fuel Fourth Operator and assist the mission (AIS), which enhances maritime target system, wing centre section fuel tank and system operators, when not actively combat identification capability in support external lighting are required to add the flying the aircraft. The E-2D’s main cabin of BMC2 and surface warfare missions by in-flight refuelling system. The capability Combat Information Center features providing identification, course and speed is expected to achieve IOC and be ready a new mission computer and tactical of maritime surface vessels. Flight-testing for use this year. Introduced on the 46th workstations equipped with 20in COTS was completed in 2015 and the AIS was production E-2D the in-flight refuelling

A VAW-126 E-2D lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman. The ‘Seahawks’ operated the E-2A, E-2B, and the Baseline, Group 0, Group II and Hawkeye 2000 variants of the E-2C before transitioning to the Advanced Hawkeye in 2016. US Navy/MCS Rebekah A. Watkins

30 AVIATION NEWS OCTOBER 2020

24-31_hawkeyeDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 30 07/09/2020 14:57 equipment is being retrofi tted to earlier aircraft at a cost of around $6m each. Modifi cations to fl eet aircraft began in 2019 and VAW-120 received its fi rst updated E-2D in September that year. The fi rst delivery to an operational squadron occurred when VAW-126 received its fi rst IFR-capable E-2D on July 27 this year. Incorporation of the Embedded National Tactical Receiver (ENTR) began with the 44th E-2D and retrofi t installations started in early 2019. ENTR permits the E-2D to receive real-time, emergent threat or combat identifi cation intelligence data from national assets. It will shorten the tactical engagement timeline for Naval Integrated Fire Control- Counter Air (NIFC-CA) kill chains. Planned upgrades, being implemented under the Operational Safety and Improvement Program will improve numerous systems and provide beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) networking and GPS-protection capabilities. Flight-testing The ‘Bluetails’ of VAW-121 are one of six squadrons that have already converted from the E-2C to began in 2018 and Northrop Grumman will the E-2D US Navy/MC3 Amber Smalley integrate BLOS Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) and Navigation Warfare in 2021. In August this year, Northrop 16 JTIDS and ATDL will combine to fully (NAVWAR) into the Advanced Hawkeye Grumman received a $34.2m contract to integrate the E-2D for the joint integrated beginning with the FRP Lot 7 aircraft. start development of a cockpit redesign air and missile defence role. Under the TTNT integrates Advanced Tactical Data for the E-2D. NIFC-CA concept, the aircraft’s radar Link (ATDL) functionality and replaces the Northrop Grumman is also studying could potentially be used to target ship- Multifunctional Information Distribution the feasibility of equipping the E-2D’s launched Standard SM-6 missiles via the System – Low Volume Terminal (MIDS dual SATCOM channels with the Mobile CEC data link. LVT) radio with MIDS/JTRS (Joint Tactical User Objective System developed by Sales of E-2Ds have already been Radio System). Incorporation of MIDS/ Lockheed Martin. The next-generation chalked up to Japan for 13, and in July this JTRS TTNT will enable high-speed data narrowband ultra-high frequency tactical year France received US State Department link communication with the EA-18G SATCOM system will deliver advanced approval to purchase three Advanced and F/A-18E/F and support the NIFC-CA communications capabilities. Hawkeyes at a cost of $2bn. mission. NAVWAR provides GPS anti- Advanced Hawkeye’s theatre air and Northrop Grumman continues to jam protection, enabling operations missile defence abilities make it a key pursue international customers, while in electronic jamming environments. component of the NIFC-CA concept. the E-2D is poised to serve the US Navy Modifi cations are scheduled to begin Further upgrades to the radar, CEC, Link through to the middle of the century.

Under the E-2D’s System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase, Northrop Grumman produced a pair of Advanced Hawkeyes at its St Augustine, Florida facility. One of the defi ning features of the E-2D is the second air scoop behind the cockpit Northrop Grumman

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24-31_hawkeyeDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 31 07/09/2020 14:58